Janet Ha

Recent Activity

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  Janet signed the petition | about 1 year ago

  Tone Down the Rhetoric, Toughen Up the Laws
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  Janet signed the petition | about 1 year ago

  Elle Magazine: Apologize for Trying to 'Whiten' Indian Skin
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  Janet signed the petition | over 2 years ago

  Tell Scholastic to Stop Censoring Gay Friendly Books
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  Janet commented on the article | over 2 years ago

  On Miscommunication

  (Voice of a para) In some districts paras aren't allowed to perform "teacher" work such as parent communication.  Anything written becomes part of the permanent record.  Since I work in a high school, parents can check the online system to get a pretty good idea of exactly what their kid is (or is supposed to be ) doing academically.  The one thing you can insist on is clear academic goals, and indications as to whether the goals are being reached, and if not, how the plan will change.  Parents cannot let up on this message, but they also cannot expect a daily briefing on their kid from a public school.  Preschools are mostly private, competitive and have a much higher teacher/student ratio.  Of course they do communication better.  We are trying to help your kid become independent.

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  Janet commented on the article | over 2 years ago

  Breaking the Habit

  I'm a para in an ASD program, our ESY started this week after a 4 week break.  Breaks happen, they are important, and one positive benefit is that kids who leave school not wanting to think about ESY are plenty ready for it when it finally starts.  I love it because we do't have to focus on academics, and can really dig into transition activities.  This year we are beginning many days by spray painting fire hydrants around our city.  The city gave us the paint, maps and little flourescent vests.  Super fun and feels so productive.

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  Janet commented on the article | over 2 years ago

  Division, Revisited

  OK, I read this and the original post. I am a para, getting licensed as a SPED teacher.  I do understand what you mean about the divide.  However, I don't quite see the chasm.  When I attend a conference I expect the speaker to have a perspective.  I know I will pass his or her words through my own filter.  I don't need to have the material presented perfectly for me to benefit from the interaction. As an educator and a parent I see that divide exisits in some respect for every child, whether or not there is a disability.  A school's job is to help socialize the kid into school/ academic life.  The parent's job is to advocate for the kid as much as possible.  We all want to help the kid be his/her best self, and most powerful self advocate.  Sometimes those interests are at odds, hopefully we can respect each other when that happens.  It does not help the kid to have to manage unhappy adults.

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  Janet signed the petition | over 2 years ago

  Let Iran Know that the Global Community is Monitoring Their Every Move